Chief Financial Officer - Creative Services & Education

About the Client:

Our client is a diversified group operating at the intersection of creative services and education, with multiple independent yet interconnected entities. They are looking for a strategic finance leader to work closely with the founders and leadership team as a key business partner. This role goes beyond traditional finance execution and will serve as the central anchor across all group entities, bringing structure, foresight, and financial clarity to a growing and increasingly complex setup.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Finance & Advisory

- Act as a thought partner to founders on business decisions, growth strategy, and financial planning

- Provide a bird's-eye view across multiple entities, ensuring alignment and financial discipline

- Advise on capital allocation, investment strategies, and long-term financial planning

Multi-Entity Structuring & Governance

- Oversee and optimize inter-company transactions, including loans, cost allocations, and revenue flows

- Drive efficient legal and financial structuring across entities (including Section 8 and education-related setups)

- Ensure robust governance frameworks across all companies

Tax & Compliance

- Guide on tax-efficient structures across businesses

- Oversee compliance across corporate, regulatory, and educational frameworks

- Work closely with external advisors (auditors, tax consultants, legal partners)

Treasury & Capital Management

- Advise on fund flows, loan structuring, and working capital management

- Support fundraising, debt structuring, and capital deployment decisions as needed

Team Oversight

- Work with and guide the existing finance team

- Ensure clarity in roles, processes, and reporting structures without necessarily owning day-to-day execution

Ideal Candidate Profile

- 12-18 years of experience in finance leadership roles (CFO / Head of Finance / Finance Controller)

- Strong exposure to multi-entity structures, inter-company transactions, and complex setups

- Experience in professional services, media, education, or founder-led businesses is preferred

- Demonstrated ability to operate as a strategic advisor, not just an execution-focused finance professional

- Strong understanding of tax structuring, compliance, and capital planning

- Ability to thrive in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment with evolving business models